OP Ryhmän Taidesäätiö sr (OP Art Foundation) has two Milanese instruments in its collection, one of which is a cello made in 1698 by Giovanni Grancino, and which is the oldest instrument in OP Art Foundation’s collection. The cello, which has previously belonged to many professionals, was located for OP Art Foundation in London in 1982. The reason for the acquisition was simple: the sound.
When the wealthiest customers for instruments went in their day to Cremona in search of top quality, Milanese instrument makers would produce inexpensive, but nevertheless beautifully sounding instruments. To them, it was a matter of honour to produce instruments with a wide range of tones at a reasonable price.
Grancino cellos have always been among the top favourites of cellists. Their sound is bright yet also fat and richly coloured. They have a sonorous bass but the upper tones also resound beautifully.
OP Art Foundation’s cello is a typical Grancino in the sense that it works just as well as an instrument for soloists as for chamber music; in other words its versatile character is suitable for cellists who put a high value on the flexibility and versatility of their sound.
OP Art Foundation’s Grancino cello is currently on loan to Beata Antikainen.
